“Come boys,” he cried, “lift the vessel from the fire and run down to the boat with it.”
He followed them closely and saw it placed in the boat. Then, turning to the men, he exclaimed,
“Now, lads, row with all your might. We are bound to prove to those stupid old Strasburgers that we are near enough to serve them a hot supper in case of need.”
Aroused by these words, the youths bent to the oars. The vessel shot down the Simwat, Aar, and Rhine, leaving town, village, and farms in its wake. Never did it stop once till it reached the quay at Strasburg.
The councilor sprang ashore and bade the two youths follow with the huge pot. He strode into the council hall and had them set it before the assembled magistrates.
“Gentlemen, Zurich sends you a warm answer to your cold refusal,” he exclaimed.
With open mouths the Strasburgers gazed at the still steaming pot. When the young Zuricher explained how it got there they laughed heartily. They were so amused with the wit and promptitude of their neighbors that they voted at once to grant their request.
The papers for the alliance were signed and sealed. Then the great magistrates called for spoons and ate every bit of the oatmeal. They called it excellent, and it proved hot enough to burn more than one councilor’s mouth.
Ever since then this huge iron pot has been known as the “pot of alliance.” It has been carefully kept in the town hall of Strasburg, where it can still be seen.